…symbols form a visual shorthand for ideas—and yet their functions and
meanings extend to something much more than that.

— Jack Tresidder, Dictionary of Symbols, p. 6.

The crucial question, of course, is what kind of meaning is being conferred
by the use of certain symbols—what stands to be gained, what lost, and by
whom. — Baigent, Leigh, and Lincoln, The Messianic Legacy, p. 136.

This article marks the tenth in an ongoing series on occult
symbols. But before I begin, I need to explain upfront that while this
particular article discusses "runes," I am not an expert on ancient Nordic
languages. However, there is enough information on the subject of runes within
occult and New Age literature that one can draw some substantial conclusions.

In order to be properly understood, symbols must be examined
within their context. Where are these symbols found? Who’s using them and for
what reason? What other significant markings or texts can be linked to the
symbol in question? What is the symbol’s spiritual history—does it have a
religious or mystical background?

The world is full of signs, amulets, talisman, markings, and
symbols. History is rife with symbol usage, being used to communicate ideas and
concepts across both physical space and time. The American flag, planted during
the first moon mission, is a prime example of such a communication. The American
flag, planted on the surface of the moon, will remind generations that US
astronauts were the first to have stepped on its rocky landscape.

Spiritually speaking, symbols have been employed to
communicate hidden mystical messages. For practitioners of the occult, these
symbols are tools specifically used in wielding supernatural powers and in
communicating their various doctrines. These symbols can be many centuries old,
yet their meanings have remained the same. In fact, as the public extension of
ancient occult teachings, the New Age movement has placed mystical symbolism
squarely in the face of our modern culture. What makes this especially
disturbing is that while the "marks" of occultism can be found throughout
society, we no longer recognize their spiritual implications. Conversely, just
because the average person doesn’t know the meaning of occult symbols, it in no
way negates their significance. Manly P. Hall, one of the most influential
occultist of the last century, wrote this of symbols, "They are centers of a
mighty force, figures pregnant with an awful power…" (Lectures on Ancient
Philosophy, p. 356).

The Language of Runes

Runes are letters used in the earliest Germanic and Nordic
alphabets. It’s a modification of Roman or Greek characters and was used from
about the third century. From a purely linguistic perspective, runes are simply
a form of writing, but as this writing expanded throughout Scandinavia and made
its way to Britain, the meanings of many of the runes acquired a quasi-magical
significance.

Jack Tresidder, author of the Dictionary of Symbols,
wrote,

The linking of specific runes to the sun, moon and other sky gods, and the
art of funerary rune carvings, led to the belief that runes embodied
supernatural powers¾to protect, to avenge and particularly to foretell the
future. (p. 173)

Expanding this idea further, The Complete Book of Amulets
and Talismans reports,

The runes of the Scandinavians were believed to possess great magical
qualities, and they were used commonly in the preparation of spells…. Some of
the runic letters and signs are so powerful, tradition warns the uninitiated
against trying to perform any feat of magic with them.

Runes were spread throughout northern Europe, in parts of
Russian, and throughout the British isles during the era of the Vikings. With
the coming of the Roman Catholic Inquisition, runes began disappearing from
common usage as the Roman church slaughtered pagans and Anabaptist Christians
alike. Because of the intensity of persecution, rune usage went underground.

A return of rune interest can be paralleled with the "revival"
of Germanic occultism. From 1880 to 1910 (and during the Nazi era of the 1930’s
and 40’s), an entire sub-culture of Germanic esoteric orders emerged. Indeed,
occultism flourished throughout much of the west during that time. Theosophy,
Freemasonry, Rosicrucianism, neo-templar orders, Hermetic orders, and a variety
of other occult societies competed for membership and influence, each claiming
that to hold the secrets of the universe. Austria and Germany were not immune to
this surge of interest, and Vienna became a hotbed of mysticism.

Guido von List, a native of Vienna, was instrumental in
advancing a Germanic-gnostic belief system founded, in large part, upon ancient
Nordic myths and Madame Blavatsky’s theosophical doctrines. List’s religion was
called Wotanism, named after the chief god of Germanic mythology, Wotan (in
Scandinavia this was Odin, the "Father-God"). Nicholas Goodrick-Clarke, in his
scholarly work The Occult Roots of Nazism (New York University Press),
describes List’s use of runes and their supernatural importance,

…[runes] were also used for their magical properties in divination, the
casting of lots, invocations and the preparation of amulets and charms. Thus
each individual rune possessed its own name and symbolism over and above its
phonetic and literary value…List attributed a specific individual rune to each
of Wotan’s verses, adding occult meaning and a summary motto of the spell.
These occult meanings and mottoes were supposed to represent the doctrine and
maxims of the rediscovered religion of Wotanism. Typical mottoes were: ‘Know
yourself, then you know everything!’; ‘Embrace the universe in yourself, and
you can master the universe!’; ‘Do not fear Death, he cannot kill you!’; ‘Your
life rests in God’s hand, trust him in yourself!’; ‘Marriage is the root of
the Aryan race!’; and ‘Man is one with God!’

The
teachings of List and other Austrian/Germanic occultists planted the
philosophical and mystical seeds of Germanic Aryanism, which reared its ugly
head during the rule of Adolf Hitler. Runes, such as the Sig rune (sun rune),
were evident throughout Nazi Germany. In fact, the double Sig rune, as seen
here, was the emblem of the dreaded SS division. Heinrich Himmler, head of the
SS, was entrenched in mystical Aryanism and Germanic-theosophy. (See article six
in this series for more information on the double Sig.)

Today, runes are evident in New Age shops, occult books,
movies, and television shows. J.R.R. Tolkien’s massive Lord of the Rings
trilogy contains numerous references to magical runes. Mr. Tolkien was, however,
a very real expert on ancient Anglo-Saxon, Germanic, and Nordic languages.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that he incorporated runes and a variety other
mythical elements into his literature.

This chart shows a runic alphabet. Each symbol and its runic name is
listed, along with its commonly understood mystical attribute. In reviewing this
chart, take note of the fact that the assigned magical element is almost always
connected with a part of nature or life. It’s from these base meanings that the
magic of runes is composed. It should also be noted that runic symbols and their
meanings may vary from form to form and with those interpreting their
significance.

As Christians, our power is not to come from mystical
alphabets, markings, or magical symbolism. Our power and authority comes from
the one true God, the maker of Heaven and Earth, the ruler of life and death¾the
giver of salvation. Jesus Christ broke the grip of sin and death, rendering
Satan’s authority null and void to those who repent and put their faith in
Christ. Why stay in bondage to darkness when the light of Jesus Christ is freely
offered?

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No
one comes to the Father except through me." — John 14:6

Teichrib is a Canadian based researcher and writer on globalization and
the occult. His work has been used by such authors as Gary Kah and Berit Kjos,
among others. Carl may be reached by emailing:
cteichrib@email.com